Cleaning of surfaces

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising brush means including a body ( 16 ) which carries bristles ( 17 ) engageable with the surface; means for effecting movement of the bristles relative to the surface, to provide an agitating cleaning action thereon; said bristle-carrying body further being provided with steam delivery means ( 20, 21 ) for applying steam to said surface in a region thereof engaged by said bristles. The apparatus may be for cleaning a conveyor belt ( 10 ), with the brush in the form of a drum ( 16 ) rotatable about an axis ( 18 ) parallel to the conveyor belt with the steam passing through the drum and emerging through peripheral apertures ( 21 ), the brush being disposed within a hood ( 15 ) with an extraction system for loosened dirt and water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the cleaning of surfaces. The invention hasbeen devised in relation to the cleaning of a floor surface, or thesurface of a conveyor belt, but it is believed the invention will alsofind utilization in the cleaning of other surfaces, e.g. wall surfaces.

One application of the invention is for the cleaning of conveyors foruse in the food industry, where cleanliness and hygiene are of highimportance. One technique which has been used for these reasons is thatof steam cleaning in which steam is applied to the belt surface throughone or more jets or nozzles. This combined with the agitating orabrading action of brush bristles on the belt leads to the achieving ofa high standard of cleanliness. However, the application of steam to thebelt surface has been carried out in a region separated from the regionin which brush bristles act on the belt surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is broadly the object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus for cleaning a surface for example a floor surfaceor that of a conveyor belt. The particular features of the inventionwhereby such an improvement is achieved will be referred to hereafter.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide apparatusfor cleaning a surface, comprising brush means including a body whichcarries bristles engageable with the surface; means for effectingmovement of the bristles relative to the surface, to provide anagitating cleaning action thereon; said bristle-carrying body furtherbeing provided with steam delivery means for applying steam to saidsurface in a region thereof engaged by said bristles.

Conveniently said bristle-carrying body is a hollow body and said steamdelivery means provides for steam to be passed therethrough and toemerge in the vicinity of said bristles.

Preferably said bristle-carrying body is in the form of a hollowcylinder with bristles carried on the external surface of a peripheralwall thereof, supported for rotation and drivable about its longitudinalaxis so that the bristles are operable on a surface lying substantiallyparallel to said axis. Preferably steam is supplied to the interior ofsuch a body and emerges through passages afforded by apertures in theperipheral wall of the body.

By such expedients, the invention ensures that steam is applied to theconveyor surface in the region in which it is engaged by the bristlesrather than at a spacing from such region. Improved effectiveness incleaning is thereby achieved, while less steam is required than if itwere applied to the surface at a distance from the brush means.

Preferably said brush means is disposed within and covered by a hoodwhich is arranged to approach the surface which is to be cleaned.Thereby steam emerging from the bristle-carrying body of the brush meansat parts of the periphery thereof not facing the surface is constrainedand prevented from escape into the surrounding atmosphere, and cancontact the surface being cleaned within the entire area of such a hoodas well as in the comparatively small part of such area where thebristles engage the surface, further to enhance the cleaning operation.

Preferably there is extraction means for removing loosened dirt, waterdue to condensation of the steam, etc. from the surface being cleaned.Preferably such extraction means has at least one intake at one or moreboundary(s) of the hood; thereby it will prevent excess steam fromescaping at such boundary(s).

Preferably the axis of the brush means extends transversely of aconveyor in relation to which the apparatus according to the inventionis installed, and further preferably, in such an installation, theextraction means has intake openings at the front and rear of the hoodwith respect to the normal direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

One or more further cleaning devices or expedients may be provided inassociation with the apparatus according to the invention as abovedescribed, for example wiping members, brushes, air jets and so on maybe provided in the region of the aforesaid intake opening or openings ofthe extraction system.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention may be mounted on a supportmeans, e.g. a chassis structure enabling the apparatus to be moved overa surface which is required to be cleaned (for example a floor surface)while being supported at the appropriate height above such surface forthe apparatus to function satisfactorily. Alternatively the apparatuscan be supported by a fixed frame in the case such as a conveyor beltwhere the surface which is to be cleaned moves past the place where theapparatus is mounted.

Whilst it would be possible for apparatus in accordance with theinvention to extend across the whole width of the belt, the apparatusmay be supported by means providing for it to move transversely of thebelt in order to enable an apparatus of lesser width to be able to coverthe entire width of the conveyor belt by being moved transverselythereof. In use the cleaning apparatus may be moved transversely of theconveyor belt while the conveyor belt is moving, the movement of theapparatus being coordinated, manually or automatically, with themovement of the belt in order to cover substantially the entire surfacethereof in use.

It would be possible for a steam generator and a suction generator forthe extraction system to be mounted with the brush means, hood, andother associated components as referred to above, on a chassis to form asingle unit movable over a floor surface for example. As applied toconveyor belt cleaning, steam may be delivered to the apparatus from aremotely-positioned steam generator, e.g. disposed alongside theconveyor. Similarly the extraction system may be connected to a sourceof suction at a remote location; both a steam generator and source ofsuction could be disposed in an equipment cabinet also containing anappropriate control system for controlling operation of the apparatus.Connection may be made by suitable, preferably flexible, pipes andelectrical cables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an apparatus in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, mounted in relation to aconveyor belt for cleaning the latter;

FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically where apparatus in accordance with theinvention might be mounted in relation to a conveyor belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a conveyor belt is indicatedat 10 and its normal direction of movement is indicated by arrow 11.Disposed above the conveyor belt 10 and extending transversely thereofis a support frame indicated diagrammatically at 12, and this supports acarriage assembly indicated diagrammatically at 13 which carries acleaning head indicated generally at 14.

The cleaning head 14 comprises a hood assembly 15 which is open at itsbottom and faces the upwardly presented surface of the conveyor belt 10.Within the hood 15 there is mounted a brush which comprises a body 16 inthe form of a hollow cylinder or drum with bristles 17 carried on theexternal surface of its peripheral wall. The brush is rotatable aboutits central longitudinal axis 18 which extends parallel to the surfaceof the conveyor belt 10. The brush is rotatable about the axis 18 asindicated by arrow 19, and the cleaning head assembly carries a suitablemotor, e.g. an electric motor connected to the brush by a suitabletransmission mechanism for effecting such rotation.

The brush body 16 is hollow and steam is delivered to its interior by aninlet pipe indicated diagrammatically at 20. There are a number ofapertures as indicated diagrammatically at 21 in the body 16 for releaseof steam in the vicinity of the bristles 17. There may be any number ofapertures of any required form spaced circumferentially and lengthwiseof the body of the brush to ensure satisfactory delivery of steam to theregion in which the bristles of the brush contact the conveyor belt 10as the brush rotates, and across the width of the conveyor belt which isengaged by the brush.

At the front edge and rear edge of the hood 15, having regard to thenormal direction of movement 11 of the conveyor belt, there arerespective intake openings 25, 26 leading to respective passages 27, 28in the hood and thence to a connection 29 to a source of suction of anextraction system. Associated with the intakes 25, 26, which extendparallel to the axis 18 for substantially the whole extent of the hoodin that direction, there are shown squeegee or wiper blades orassemblies 31, 32; other cleaning devices may be provided at suchpositions, e.g. further brushes for contacting the conveyor beltsurface, an air jet or jets for assisting drying the surface at theintake 26, and so on.

Shown in FIG. 2 there is an equipment cabinet 35 alongside the conveyorbelt 10, which contains a steam generator and an extraction system forconnection 36, by flexible pipes or hoses, to the steam inlet 20 andextraction connection 29 on the cleaning head assembly 14. The equipmentcabinet may also contain control equipment for controlling operation ofthe apparatus. In particular the deliver of steam, operation of thesuction extraction system, and rotation of the brush 16 may beindividually controlled so that the brush may, for example, be used“dry” when required.

As illustrated the cleaning head 14 is of substantially less width thanthe conveyor belt 10 and therefore to clear the entire surface of thelatter movement of the head in the direction transversely of theconveyor belt is required. With the conveyor belt moving, the head maybe left in one position for sufficient time to clean a part of the widthand the whole of the length of the conveyor belt after which the head ismoved transversely of the conveyor belt to clean another part of thewidth thereof. This is repeated until the entire surface of the conveyorbelt is cleaned. Movement of the cleaning head in the directiontransversely of the conveyor belt may be effected manually, orautomatically by a suitable control system. Alternatively the cleaninghead could be repeatedly reciprocated transversely of the conveyor beltto clean the surface thereof in a zigzag path thereon, such operationproceeding until the entire surface of the belt has been satisfactorilycleaned.

Whichever method of operation is adopted, the invention enables thesurfaces of a conveyor belt to be effectively and economically cleanedwhen such cleaning is required.

FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically possible positions in which apparatus inaccordance with the invention may be mounted in relation to a conveyorbelt in order to clean the latter. In this Figure, the upper,load-carrying, run of a conveyor belt is indicated at 40 and itsdirection of travel by arrow 41. The lower, return, run of the belt isindicated at 42, the belt having passed around a guide roller 43 at itsend. Items are delivered onto the conveyor at a loading stationindicated by arrow 44, and transported by the conveyor to its end wherethey are unloaded or delivered. Cleaning apparatus according to theinvention may be mounted as indicated at 45, in order to clean thesurface of the conveyor belt before items are placed on it at theloading station 44.

Alternatively, the cleaning apparatus may be disposed beneath theconveyor to clean the surface of the belt while it is moving along itsreturn path 42. By way of example such a position of the cleaningapparatus is indicated at 46, supported by a stand 47 or, alternatively,suspended from the framework of the conveyor. In this case it may benecessary to provide additional guide rollers for the conveyor belt asindicated at 48. Cleaning the surface of the conveyor belt while it ison its return run provides maximum time for it to dry before it isloaded with items which are to be transported. An extraction systemprovided as part of the cleaning apparatus will, of course, have to bearranged to remove any debris or the like falling from the surface ofthe conveyor belt within the upwardly-facing hood of the apparatus.

Although described above in relation to the cleaning of a conveyor belt,the apparatus in accordance with the invention may be used for cleaningother surfaces for example a floor surface. For this purpose, thecleaning head may be mounted on a suitable frame or chassis structuremovable over such a surface on wheels for example. A steam generator andsuction generator may be mounted with the cleaning head on such achassis. As referred to above, in relation to the cleaning of a conveyorbelt surface, the apparatus is usable for cleaning surfaces other thanthose which are upwardly presented and with any appropriatemodifications may be used for cleaning, for example, a wall surface.

In the present specification “comprise” means “includes or consists of”and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilized forrealizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for cleaning a surface comprising: abrush having a hollow body with bristles carried on an external surfaceof a peripheral wall thereof, said brush being disposed within andcovered by a hood which is arranged to approach the surface which is tobe cleaned; a motor for effecting movement of the bristles relative tothe surface, to provide an agitating cleaning action thereon; and aconduit in fluid communication with an interior of said hollow body toprovide steam to said interior; wherein said hollow body includes aplurality of apertures formed in said peripheral wall for applying steamto said surface in a region thereof engaged by said bristles.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an extractionmechanism for removing matter from the surface being cleaned.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said extraction mechanism has atleast one intake at one or more boundaries of the hood.
 4. An apparatusaccording to claim 3 comprising at least one further cleaning deviceassociated with said at least one intake.
 5. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said hood comprises at least one intake at one or moreboundaries of the hood.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 comprisingat least one cleaning device at said at least one intake.
 7. Anapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a frame for supportingthe apparatus in relation to a conveyor belt.
 8. An apparatus forcleaning a surface, comprising: a brush having a hollow body with anexternal peripheral wall and a plurality of bristles extending outwardlyfrom said peripheral wall, said peripheral wall including a plurality ofapertures permitting steam to emerge from the interior of the hollowbody in the vicinity of said bristles; a motor for effecting movement ofthe brush so that said bristles brush the surface to be cleaned; aconduit iii fluid communication with an interior of said hollow body toprovide steam to said interior; a hood within which said brush isdisposed, said hood having boundaries which extend to approach thesurface to be cleaned; and an extractor for matter from the surface tobe cleaned, said extractor having at least one intake at at least one ofsaid boundaries of the hood.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 3further comprising a support for the apparatus to be supported at anappropriate height above a surface to be cleaned and enabling theapparatus to be moved relative to said surface.
 10. An apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said support comprises a chassis enablingthe apparatus to be moved over a floor surface.
 11. An apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said support comprises a frame forsupporting the apparatus in relation to a conveyor belt.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 11 wherein said frame provides for movementof the apparatus in a direction transversely of the conveyor belt. 13.An apparatus according to claim 12 comprising a remotely-positionedsteam generator, and source of suction for said extractor.
 14. Aconveyor system comprising a conveyor belt and apparatus according toclaim 11 arranged for cleaning the conveyor belt.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 8 further comprising at least one additional cleaningdevice at said at least one intake.
 16. An apparatus for cleaning asurface, comprising: a brush having a hollow body in the form of acylinder having a longitudinal axis and an external peripheral wallextending about said longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bristlesextending outwardly from said peripheral wall, said peripheral wallincluding a plurality of apertures permitting steam to emerge from theinterior of the hollow body in the vicinity of said bristles, a motorfor effecting rotation of the brush about said longitudinal axis so thatsaid bristles brush a surface to be cleaned extending substantiallyparallel to said longitudinal axis; a conduit in fluid communicationwith an interior of said hollow body to provide steam to said interior;a hood within which said brush is disposed, said hood having boundarieswhich extend to approach the surface to be cleaned; and an extractor formatter from the surface to be cleaned, said extractor having at leastone intake at at least one of said boundaries of the hood.